Creating a database for psychiatric disorders in the community of an urban and rural industrial areas of pimpri-chinchwad

Abstract

Mental Health Issues are an important public health problem. It has also social and economic costs. The Government of India is implementing the National Mental Health Program which includes upgrading of Psychiatry services of the medical colleges so as to provide community psychiatry services. This concept paper discusses the modalities of setting up a data base of psychiatric illnesses in the field practice areas of a medical college located in the twin township of Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune District, Maharashtra. This database will enable practice of community psychiatry in collaboration with the Department of Community Medicine and can be a model for adoption in other medical institutions and nonteaching public hospitals as well as private hospitals. Most psychiatric illnesses require follow up and a good digital tracking system would minimise attritions. It would also facilitate community based research in mental disorders.